Scanning and disinfecting system

Abstract

A disinfection system is disclosed. The disinfection system includes a base, a first arm mechanically coupled to the base at a first joint, a second arm mechanically coupled to the first arm at a second joint, and an emission module mechanically coupled to the second arm at a third joint. The emission module may include a third arm that includes one or more scanners configured to emit electromagnetic energy further configured to disinfect a first surface. The emission module may also include the one or more scanners, focusing lens, a lens frame, and a rotary actuator, wherein the rotary actuator is configured to align one of the one or more scanners with the focusing lens to produce a narrow electromagnetic beam, or position the focusing lens out of alignment with the one of the one or more scanners to produce a broad electromagnetic beam.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A disinfection system comprising:
 a base;   a first arm mechanically coupled to the base at a first joint, wherein the first arm is configured to rotate along a first axis;   a second arm mechanically coupled to the first arm at a second joint, wherein the second arm is configured to rotate along a second axis;   an emission module operatively coupled to the second arm at a third joint and configured to rotate along a third axis, wherein the emission module comprises a scanner configured to emit electromagnetic energy upon a first surface, wherein the electromagnetic energy disinfects the first surface;   one or more sensors configured to detect the presence of a person at the first surface; and   a controller communicatively coupled to the emission module and the sensor, wherein the controller comprises:
 at least one processor; and 
 a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory having instructions stored upon that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the controller to:
 determine an absence of a person adjacent to the first surface; 
 activate scanner; and 
 cause the scanner to focus the electromagnetic energy on the first surface. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The disinfection system of  claim 1 , wherein the emission module further comprises:
 a focusing lens;   a lens frame; and   a rotary actuator communicatively coupled to the controller configured to rotate the at least one of the lens frame or at least one of the one or more scanners.   
     
     
         3 . The disinfection system of  claim 2 , wherein the base is configured to attach to a passenger seat. 
     
     
         4 . The disinfection system of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic energy comprises ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         5 . The disinfection system of  claim 1 , wherein one of the one or more sensors comprises a motion sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The disinfection system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprises an infrared sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The disinfection system of  claim 2 , wherein the rotary actuator is configured to align the focusing lens with the one of the one or more scanners, wherein the electromagnetic energy is emitted from the one of the one or more scanners as a narrowly focused beam. 
     
     
         8 . The disinfection system of  claim 2 , wherein the rotary actuator is configured to position the focusing lens out of alignment with the one of the one or more scanners, wherein the electromagnetic energy is emitted from the one of the one or more scanners as a broadly focused beam. 
     
     
         9 . The disinfection system of  claim 2 , wherein emission module comprises a four-quadrant scanner, wherein each quadrant comprises a scanner. 
     
     
         10 . The disinfection system of  claim 9 , wherein the emission module comprises a first sensor of the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The disinfection system of  claim 9 , wherein the base comprises a second sensor of the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The disinfection system of  claim 1 , further comprising a passenger seat. 
     
     
         13 . A passenger seat comprising:
 a disinfection system comprising:
 a base; 
 a first arm mechanically coupled to the base at a first joint, wherein the first arm is configured to rotate along a first axis; 
 a second arm mechanically coupled to the first arm at a second joint, wherein the second arm is configured to rotate along a second axis; 
 an emission module operatively coupled to the second arm at a third joint and configured to rotate along a third axis, wherein the emission module comprises a scanner configured to emit electromagnetic energy upon a first surface, wherein the electromagnetic energy disinfects the first surface; 
 one or more sensors configured to detect the presence of a person at the first surface; and 
 a controller communicatively coupled to the emission module and the sensor, wherein the controller comprises:
 at least one processor; and 
 a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory having instructions stored upon that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the controller to:
 determine an absence of a person adjacent to the first surface; 
 activate scanner; and 
 cause the scanner to focus the electromagnetic energy on the first surface. 
 
 
   
     
     
         14 . The passenger of  claim 13 , wherein the emission module further comprises:
 a focusing lens;   a lens frame; and   a rotary actuator communicatively coupled to the controller configured to rotate the at least one of the lens frame or at least one of the one or more scanners.   
     
     
         15 . The disinfection system of  claim 13 , wherein the electromagnetic energy comprises ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         16 . The disinfection system of  claim 13 , wherein one of the one or more sensors comprises a motion sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The disinfection system of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more sensors comprises an infrared sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The disinfection system of  claim 14 , wherein the rotary actuator is configured to align the focusing lens with the one of the one or more scanners, wherein the electromagnetic energy is emitted from the one of the one or more scanners as a narrowly focused beam. 
     
     
         19 . The disinfection system of  claim 14 , wherein the rotary actuator is configured to position the focusing lens out of alignment with the one of the one or more scanners, wherein the electromagnetic energy is emitted from the one of the one or more scanners as a broadly focused beam. 
     
     
         20 . The disinfection system of  claim 14 , wherein emission module comprises a four-quadrant scanner, wherein each quadrant comprises a scanner.